Letters -- Published Jan. 22, 2009

Thursday

Jan 22, 2009 at 12:01 AM

In 2002, when real estate prices were rising, the City of Stockton passed an ordinance with an added expense to landlords only, in the guise of protecting the tenants. Modesto and Tracy, among others, decided against it.

In 2002, when real estate prices were rising, the City of Stockton passed an ordinance with an added expense to landlords only, in the guise of protecting the tenants. Modesto and Tracy, among others, decided against it.

It is only good business to keep your tenants happy, but there are always a few landlords that don't. Prior to the passage of this new ordinance, tenants could get satisfaction from code enforcement, the health department (health and safety), or they could just retain rent. This could shut you down.

This year, 2009, for the first time two of my rental homes were inspected, not because the tenants complained or that the homes did not appear maintained. I figure it is the poor economy.

Stockton is practically No. 1 in the whole nation in foreclosures, people are losing their jobs, businesses are closing, and we simply don't need this added expense.

If the majority feel it is fair, extend it to apply to all properties (including homeowners and bank-owned properties, as there are many unsightly ones). They can come and inspect anytime they want with notice, or we cannot make it harder to do business in Stockton, when people can buy elsewhere. Let's rescind this ordinance.

Oliver TorlaiStockton

A recent letter writer bemoaned the supporters of Proposition 8, opining that they undoubtedly also favored Proposition 4. I certainly hope is the case, as early teen children having abortions without parental notification is a horrible idea that sacrifices a minor child's mental and physical health on the altar of political correctness.

Now compare the persistence of the folks who think Proposition 4 is worth putting it on the ballot until common sense and decency prevail, and it's passed, with the anonymous Proposition 8 opponents who have used Google to document the names, places of employment and addresses (with directions) of supporters of Proposition 8 and amounts of money donated to the 'Yes on 8' effort.

If someone put together a map showing where all the gay people in the neighborhood live, that would be called an implicit threat, and rightfully so.

This is an outrage, and the No on 8 miscreants involved need to be held accountable.

Brad FryStockton

A recent letter writer called Mark Felt, the "Deep Throat" of the early 1970s, a traitor because of his assistance in the Watergate investigation. The writer said Felt should have taken his information to the attorney general or a federal grand jury.

Considering the level of involvement of the Nixon administration in the break-in at Democratic Party national headquarters, one has to wonder what would have happened to the information and Felt.

Treason is defined as actions against one's country, not against an officeholder, such as a president. Felt did not plan or conduct the burglary or its coverup. Those actions were committed by members of the Nixon White House. Richard Nixon took an oath as president to protect and defend the Constitution. In my opinion, the actions of Nixon and his compatriots in their attempt to subvert a constitutional election border on treason. Trying to get the truth before the American people is not treason.

Additionally, when Nixon tried to prevent Congress from obtaining the tapes with evidence of the coverup, his argument to the Supreme Court was that the president is above the law. Fortunately for we the people and our Constitution, the court did not agree with him; the president, like us, is bound by the law.

Mark Felt did all of us a great service when the executive branch believed itself untouchable.

Larry K. HammondStockton

Giving the State of the State address at 10 a.m.? C'mon, Arnold, stop acting like a girly-man. Become a real governor and get this budget crisis resolved.

Gene GasconStockton

Stockton lost a hero in Tom Verner recently. Whether you liked him or not, no one can argue that Verner's heart wasn't in it for the kids and families of south Stockton.

He built homes where other developers never had. He recognized the glaring differences in sporting success between the high schools north of Harding Way and those south of it. Rather than just complain about it, he put a great deal of time and money into trying to change things for the better. While his methods were not always deemed "by the book," he ultimately took a noncompetitive football program at his alma mater, Franklin High School, and turned it into a program that could compete and win against the likes of traditional city powerhouses Lincoln and St. Mary's. How many of us would or could have done the same?

Raymond LozanoStockton

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We are sad on the passing of John Verner. I knew him, did several real estate transactions with him and found him to be forthright and very much a man of honor. Our thoughts and prayers are with Verner, his family and friends and associates.

John K. McCoyStockton

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